The level of hand hygiene compliance by operating room personnel of Educational Hospitals inHamadan University of Medical Science

By:Zandiyeh M1, Borzo R2

Abstract

Introduction: Health care associated infections (HCAIs) are among challenges to health care facilities. Hand hygiene is well known as the most efficient, cost benefit and simplest technique for decreasing these infections. In operating room, surgical procedures as invasive techniques affects patients more than patients in other wards. Hence hand hygiene compliance has a substantial importance in these units.

Objective: This study aims to determine the level of hand hygiene compliance by operating room personnel of Hamadan Educational Hospitals.

Methods: The study sample included all surgical operating room nurses of educational hospitals of Hamadan. A ten item check list which included all hand hygiene compliance by operating room team was used for data collection. Each study sample was observed four times and totally 296 operating room nurses were observed.

Results: Mean score of general hand hygiene was 61.3% of total score. In most samples (53%) the quality of general hand hygiene performance was average and mean score of general hand hygiene in Besat, Maternity and ekbatan hospital respectively were 60.1%, 64.5% and 62.3% of total score. There was no significant difference between mean score and different hospitals, type of surgery and personel level of education. The least compliance with hand hygiene was regarding hand wash with soap before(4.4%) and after(12.5%) patient care and after removing gloves(10.8%). Also most of samples (67.9%) wear gloves for patient care.

Conclusion: In this study average score of general hand hygiene were greater than 50%(61.3%) of total score but what is of importance is the non compliance with hand washing before and after patient care (although it is among most important and effective means of prevention of micro organism transmission). In addition due to the importance of complete compliance of hand hygiene, it is essential to implement all necessary measures.